April 13, 2026
Ready Report: Final Week of Session, “Distrust Act”, Final Budget & More…
The 13th and final week of the 90-day 2026 Legislative Session in Annapolis has concluded. Monday April 13th is Sine Die. Bills that do not pass by midnight on the 13th are dead and will not pass during the 2026 Legislative Session. My office is working on a comprehensive breakdown of the 2026 Legislative Session which we will send out following its conclusion.
To watch my weekly video update, click the image below.
Friday: Senate Republicans Lead Floor Fight on “Community Distrust Act,” Slam “Super Sneaky” Process
Annapolis, Md. — Senate Republicans today led a sustained floor fight against the so-called Community Trust Act which they have dubbed the “Community Distrust Act” blasting what they described as a “super sneaky big deal” process used to rush the bill from a late-night, closed-door committee vote to the Senate floor. Lawmakers were given just one hour to review the sweeping legislation before it advanced out of committee — with advocates granted access while law enforcement and State’s Attorneys were shut out. A motion by Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey to delay consideration and allow for proper review was denied on a party-line vote.
At its core, the legislation represents a major shift in Maryland’s public safety framework. The bill restricts when state and local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities, limiting coordination in certain cases and placing new constraints on detention and information sharing.
Republicans warned that these restrictions could undermine coordination between agencies, even in cases involving serious offenses such as murder, rape of a minor, domestic violence, drug trafficking, and drunk driving.
“This is a major public safety policy being forced through without transparency, without proper vetting, and without input from the people responsible for keeping our communities safe,” said Senator William Folden. During floor debate, Senate Republicans introduced 14 amendments aimed at strengthening the bill, protecting public safety, and restoring local control.
Republican Amendments Offered:
Expanding Serious Charges for ICE Consultation
Amendments sought to broaden the list of offenses eligible for ICE consultation — including murder, rape of a minor, domestic violence, drug trafficking, and drunk driving — and to allow action based on individuals being charged, not just convicted.
Protecting Correctional Officers Acting in Good Faith
Ensuring correctional officers are held harmless and protected from liability when acting in good faith in the course of their duties.
Protecting Joint Task Force Participation
Preserving the ability of local law enforcement to participate in joint task forces with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, maintaining coordination on serious criminal activity.
Restoring Local Discretion
Providing greater flexibility for local jurisdictions in determining how and when to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Renaming Amendment
Renaming the bill the “Rachel Morin Act” and reinstating participation in the 287(g) program. The amendment is named for Rachel Morin, a Maryland mother who was tragically murdered in 2023, with the suspect later identified as an individual in the country illegally, a case that underscores the importance of coordination between local and federal law enforcement.
Interstate Offenses Amendment (Adopted – Sen. William Folden)
An amendment successfully adopted, led by Senator William Folden, allows for ICE involvement when an individual has been convicted of a serious offense in another state, sentenced to at least five years, and served that sentence — ensuring those individuals do not fall through the cracks.
“One of the most concerning aspects of this bill is that it limits action to only after a conviction, rather than when someone is charged with a serious offense,” said Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready. “That ignores the reality that law enforcement often needs to act earlier, especially in cases involving violent crime, drug trafficking, or repeat offenders, to protect communities and prevent further harm.” Republicans also pointed to real-world consequences of restricting coordination between agencies, citing the recent major drug trafficking bust on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where cooperation between law enforcement partners was critical to dismantling a large-scale criminal operation.
Throughout debate, Republican members emphasized that the bill represents a significant policy shift that was advanced without adequate scrutiny or stakeholder input.
“Marylanders deserve transparency. They deserve a full and open debate. And they deserve policies that put public safety first,” said Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey. “This process failed on all counts.”
FY 2027 Budget Officially Passes
Passing a balanced budget is the only constitutional requirement of the Maryland General Assembly each year, and the FY2027 budget meets that obligation.
The General Assembly approved a $70.6 billion state budget, an increase of approximately $565 million over last year. The budget does not include new taxes or fees this year, and unfortunately, does not include any tax relief for Maryland families already facing a high cost of living. It continues to rely on revenues from tax and fee increases enacted in prior years to sustain current spending levels.
The Budget reflects what many have described as an election-year approach — avoiding immediate impacts on taxpayers while relying on prior revenues and short-term solutions to maintain spending. The FY27 Budget does little to change the state’s long-term fiscal outlook. Current projections show future deficits growing to as much as $4 billion annually if structural issues remain unresolved.
The final budget also included cuts to disability services programs, which were a significant concern for me and members of the Senate Republican Caucus. These reductions were debated late into the session and, ultimately, funding was not fully restored, raising concerns about support for some of Maryland’s most vulnerable residents.
Rather than making structural reforms, the budget relies in part on one-time actions and transfers from dedicated funds to close the gap.
This includes shifting approximately $292 million from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF) into the General Fund.
These funds were created for specific purposes and funded by charges paid by Maryland ratepayers. Using those dollars to support general spending, rather than their intended purposes, raises serious concerns about transparency, sustainability, and whether taxpayers are truly getting what they were promised.
Senatorial Scholarships Available
If you are or know a high school senior or college student, please consider applying for a Senatorial Scholarship. For more information or to request an application, email Emily Van Horn at [email protected] and include your full address. Scholarships will be accepted up to April 15, 2026.
It is an honor to represent you in the Maryland Senate. As always, feel free to reach out to my office anytime with questions or concerns. Please be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X for the most up-to-date information.
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